The winning bridge created by Jasmine Ellis holds 500 pounds. It eventually held 650 pounds before breaking during Fair Lawn High School's annual pasta bridges competition.

Each year geometry students put their bridges made out of only fettuccini and Elmer's white glue to the test to see how much they can hold before buckling as weights are placed on top.

Students must create bridges weighing less than 12 ounces. To be considered a legal bridge that can be part of the competition, it must meet the requirements for height, depth and width.

Prior to the last period of the day with one bridge holding 650 pounds, two bridges were tied at 405 pounds. The lighter bridge would have been the winner, explained math teacher Katie Ometz.

In addition to which bridge holds the most, teachers also consider other factors such as how efficient they are and how aesthetic.

"This could be one of the most efficient," said math teacher Brian Lariviere, who serves as the announcer for the event, as he held up a 3.2-ounce bridge. The bridge later broke after holding 20 pounds.

Later a bridge weighing 1.7 ounces, which Lariviere noted was the lowest of the day, broke after the block that holds the weights was placed on top.

Juilene Ramirez, Ryan Atkinson and Kimberly McNiff from teacher Bryan McCourt's class created the bridge that was named the most aesthetic.

To give the audience a close-up look at the bridges as weights are added a camera is focused on the stage and displayed on a large screen. Another screen displays the winning bridges from each class and past years, along with announcements about upcoming school events.

In addition to building the bridge, students must maintain a log, which tracks their procedure, details their research, features some sketches of bridges and records any challenges they faced.

This year's winner came close to breaking the school record, which was set in 2008 when a bridge held 795 pounds.